Alistair Overeem vs. Stefan Struve on deck for FOX card in Phoenix

Alistair Overeem wanted a shot at redemption following his loss to Ben Rothwell earlier this month and it appears he’ll get his chance as he’ll face fellow Dutchman Stefan Struve at the upcoming UFC Fight Night on FOX card from Phoenix on December 13.

UFC officials announced the new bout late Wednesday evening.

Overeem (37-14, 1 NC) will probably enter the fight on do-or-die terms after suffering losses in three out of his last four fights with all of his defeats coming by way of knockout. The former Strikeforce heavyweight champion was once a top contender in the heavyweight division, but ever since he knocked out Brock Lesnar in his debut, things have been rocky for Overeem ever since.

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Overeem began training with coach Greg Jackson recently, but still suffered the same fate as his most recent losses when he got clipped by a punch from Rothwell early in their fight in Connecticut in early September. Now Overeem will return to action in December with a ‘win or go home’ mentality.

Stefan Struve (25-6) may not be in the same dire situation as Overeem, but he’ll have a lot to prove when he returns in December as well. The seven-foot striker out of Holland has been out of fighting for over a year dealing with a heart condition that nearly ended his career.

Thankfully, Struve recovered, but when he was set to fight in July against Matt Mitrione he suffered a panic attack, nearly passing out in the backstage area and being forced to withdraw from the contest. Now Struve has booked his next fight where a lot of eyeballs will be focused on his performance and how he’s able to return after such a strenuous situation.

Overeem vs. Struve will take place on the upcoming UFC Fight Night on FOX card from Phoenix on December 13. As of yet, no main event has been announced for the show although former heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos is expected to take on Stipe Miocic on the card as well.